Senior Scientific Director, Clinical Development, Advanced Pipeline Unit (APU) Respiratory

At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on discovering and delivering vaccines and medicines, combining our understanding of the immune system with cutting-edge technology to transform people’s lives. GSK fosters a culture ambitious for patients, accountable for impact, and committed to doing the right thing, making sure that we focus our efforts on accelerating significant assets that meet patients’ needs and have the highest probability of success. We’re uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together.
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Our approach to R&D

About RIIRU:

The Respiratory, Immunology and Inflammation Research Unit (RIIRU) was formed in 2024 to identify and advance novel molecular targets with genetic associations to disease based on the foundational observation that targets with human genetic evidence supporting their causal role in the intended indication improves clinical success by two-fold. The remit of RIIRU is to identify novel targets based on human genetics, develop assets for clinical studies, and perform trials through to submission for approvals. This goal is enabled through strategic external (e.g., Flagship Pioneering, Vesalius, Muna Therapeutics and others) and GSK-internal partnerships (Research Technologies).  

PLEASE NOTE: This career opportunity requires an on-site office presence (minimum of two days a week) at one of GSK’s US (PA or MA) or UK (Stevenage or London HQ) sites.

Position Summary:
A Senior Scientific Director, Clinical Development is sought to provide clinical and scientific leadership for potential new, established and emerging indications for assets in clinical development with a strong focus in respiratory disease. You will work with project teams to plan and ensure delivery of clinical research and development activities and establish efficient collaboration throughout all stages of development. You will report to the Vice President, Clinical Research Head, Respiratory.  This role is pivotal in driving GSK’s mission to deliver transformative medicines to patients, ensuring clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. The successful candidate will not only deliver results but also inspire and empower teams to achieve exceptional outcomes.

This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career. These responsibilities include:

• Lead the clinical development strategy from a drug or program including accountability for the clinical components of the Target Medicine Profile (TMP) and leadership of the clinical matrix team (CMT). Ensure cohesive and comprehensive clinical development plans (CDP) for product(s) and/or indication(s). Identify and highlight transformational opportunities where projects can offer highly significant benefit to patients.
• Contribute to development of the Integrated Evidence Strategy (IES), including oversight of the CDP and its component clinical trials. Integrate scientific rationale, regulatory requirements, product development plans, and commercial goals to optimize asset indications and programs, providing strategic leadership in assuring that clinical study designs are aligned with the IES and CDP.
• Drive ambitious and achievable clinical development timelines, incorporating key decision points, risk and cost analyses, and Go/No Go criteria. Lead and be accountable for the evaluation of the probability of technical success (PTRS) of clinical studies/programs. Assess risk/benefit at the study and/or project level and take action to mitigate risk where appropriate.
• Nurture and maintain relationships with counterparts in Commercial, Regulatory, Clinical Operations, Medical Affairs, and Statistics. Serve as a clinical point of contact for senior management and senior level matrix teams, across the internal matrix and positively interface and influence a broad range of external experts (e.g., regulators, payors, CROs, consultants, investigators).
• Lead clinical development discussions and teams at global regulatory interactions. Make substantial contributions to global regulatory submissions/files (e.g., IND, NDA, BLA, MAA), including briefing documents, presentations, and responses to regulatory questions.
• Manage technical and leadership development of Clinical Development staff via direct line management, mentoring and coaching across the organisation.
• Manage and contribute to the development of strategic initiatives, specific business development activities including due diligence, and organizational initiatives in Clinical Development, championing innovative method